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Design-Build Hurricane Preparedness Retrofit

U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Jackson, MS

SCOPE OF WORK: The Veterans Affairs Regional Benefits Office in Jackson, MS required retrofitting of building systems in order to be prepared for hurricane force winds and flooding rain. The sewer lift station, building sewer pipes and all drain locations were fitted with backflow preventers to ensure the facility will remain operational during a flood. All rooftop HVAC, satellite, and ventilation equipment were fitted with seismic and wind anchoring systems to withstand 165 mph wind loads, or a “Level E” rating.

Two skylights, one 20 feet tall and one 10 feet tall, were replaced with pre-engineered translucent panel skylight systems. Paramount successfully lifted the delicate skylights 50’ high over the edge of the top floor, and placed them in the middle of the roof, approximately 70 feet from the edge.